Wellington Jazz Academy grade 9/10 winning jazz combo members (L-R) Scott Tomkins, Rowan Long, Ivy Holmberg, Sophia Luvisotto Baird and Lola Woods (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

note-worthy performances

Renowned Wellington Jazz Academy makes impact at festival

Feb 27, 2025 | 2:36 PM

NANAIMO — Students from Wellington Secondary School’s popular jazz program hit all the right notes last weekend.

Wellington students garnered several individual and combination honours at one of the longest-running jazz festivals in Canada at Surrey’s Sullivan Heights Secondary School on Feb 21 and 22.

Wellington Jazz Academy band director Camella Luvisotto said her students performed exceptionally well at the event, which involved more than 1,500 students representing 40 secondary schools.

She said five students excelled after being invited to perform in the Saturday evening showcase event.

“I think their love for the music, passion, commitment and all of the extra time they put into the program and into themselves individually just shone through at that moment,” Luvisotto told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Wellington Jazz Academy students performing at the recent Surrey Jazz Festival. (Submitted photo)

Individual award winners went to Rowan Long in the junior drummer category, as well as Sophia Luvisotto Baird for junior trombone.

Grade 9/10 slide-by-slide quintet of Lola Woods, Sophia Luvisotto Baird, Ivy Holmberg, Rowan Long and Scott Tomkins received outstanding junior combo award recognition and earned the privilege to perform in the Saturday evening showcase.

Tenth grade student Rowan Long and twelfth graders Garett Tomkins, Richie Salvosa and Kash Corfield were all honoured in the Surrey Jazz Festival rep bands category, while the school’s senior band rhythm section won its category.

Luvisotto, whose overseen the Wellington Jazz Academy since its inception in 2006, said the program has grown over the past few years to 190 students.

She said it’s encouraging to see the school’s jazz culture in a such a strong position, stating COVID-19 restrictions could have sent interest downward.

“They (students) see what they can get from it, they see the positive outcomes, and they know they are supported in a safe and inclusive community.”

Wellington Jazz Academy students perform live at local community events, allowing them to gain valuable experience and earn “gigging” money to help fund band trips, Luvisotto said.

“The students know that they’re all tied together in that love of music, especially the jazz genre.”

The Surrey Jazz Festival was critiqued by Lower Mainland-based professional musicians and educators.

Several students received accolades at the recent Surrey Jazz Festival, which has been running since the early 1980’s. (Submitted photo)

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